John Wicks
Encyclopedia
John Wicks is a record producer and songwriter, working with numerous artists
in the United States and the United Kingdom. Wicks is best known as the lead singer-songwriter
from the UK mod powerpop band
, The Records
, who formed in London from the ashes of the The Kursaal Flyers
, during the 1977 punk rock
movement. Ref
three album
s for Virgin Records
: Shades In Bed (1979), Crashes (1980), and Music on Both Sides (1982). Unlike many bands, The Records lasted through the punk era and into the new wave music
scene, before disbanding in 1982. Wicks became a respected producer and songwriter in addition to his work as a solo
artist
.
Wicks released a series of singles
on the Prizm record label
in the early 1980s, including "The Way That Love Goes", "Prisoner Of Love" and "Nowhere Left To Run". In 1988, British rock enthusiasts petitioned Virgin Records to release the music of The Records on CD
. The fans
had their wish when Caroline Records released a best-of collection entitled Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses that same year. In 1990, Line Records Germany remastered and released an album of rhythm and blues
flavored punk entitled A Sunny Afternoon In Waterloo.
Original lead guitarist Huw Gower invited his former band mates to reunite in 1990 to record a version of "Darlin'" for a Brian Wilson tribute CD that he was involved in putting together for DeMilo Records in New York. (At the same Gower also brokered the US release of "Paying For The Summer of Love", a compilation of 1978 demos by the group (with advance royalties paid to all four original members) on CD, vinyl & cassette. Impressive press reviews of both created an opportunity for the group members to seriously consider re-forming. Wicks, unable to accept the concept of an equal partnership, chose instead to appropriate the brand name for his own use. In 1994 The Records became known as John Wicks And The Records, booking shows primarily in the US and UK. Under new management, John Wicks And The Records were an opening act at the San Diego Sports Arena
in California
.
By the middle of 1994, John Wicks And The Records recorded Solace In Wonderland, an album of country-rock tinged songs reminisicent of Wilco
, Whiskeytown
and Ryan Adams
. The album Rock 'Ola was released by Rock Indiana in 1998, while John Wicks and his American hirelings were on tour in Spain. His subsequent stranding of the band without pay or return airfare has become legend. "Rock 'Ola" included ten new songs and is considered to be a solo album.
Angel Air Records released Paying For The Summer Of Love without legal clearance from the other band members, remastered on CD in 2001. In 2002, Will Birch licensed the back catalog from UK Virgin to his On The Beach label releasing a deluxe CD edition of Shades In Bed, which featured 10 bonus tracks including every cut from the High Heels EP
, followed by a 2005 deluxe CD edition of Crashes, which included six bonus tracks.
In April 2007, after years, John Wicks released a new CD entitled "Rotate" on the KoolKatMusik label. Although described as an "anthology", "Rotate" contained several new tracks along with a handful of remixed versions of previously issued songs. Five "extra" tracks were also featured on a special, signed, two disc version. Also included, a cover version of the classic Beatles song "We Can Work It Out", which initially appeared on a Beatles CD. "Rotate" is the most recent collection of music released to date by John Wicks.
In 2009, a new CD was released, containing an unreleased live performance entitled "Play Live: The Records Live In Concert." This performance featured The Records with John Wicks on rhythm guitar, Will Birch on drums, Phil Brown on bass and Jude Cole on lead guitar, while on tour in the US in 1980.
The songs of Will Birch and John Wicks have been recorded by 1960s British Invasion
band The Searchers
(with John McNally and Mike Pender), Mary Chapin Carpenter
, Too Much Joy
, Michael Monroe
from Hanoi Rocks
, Euro pop sensation Dominique
and numerous other artists. The Records disbanded in 1981. Wicks continues to record new albums and tour the world, billed as The Records in UK, and as John Wicks And The Records in the U.S.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
in the United States and the United Kingdom. Wicks is best known as the lead singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from the UK mod powerpop band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, The Records
The Records
The Records were an English power pop band in the late 1970s. Allmusic notes that they are often referred to as the "British Big Star". They are best remembered for the hit single and cult favourite "Starry Eyes".-History:...
, who formed in London from the ashes of the The Kursaal Flyers
The Kursaal Flyers
The Kursaal Flyers were a British pop and country music band, formed in Southend-on-Sea in 1973, who "bridged the gap between pub rock and power pop".-Original members:*Paul Shuttleworth , vocals...
, during the 1977 punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
movement. Ref
Career
As a British powerpop band, The Records recordedSound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
three album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s for Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
: Shades In Bed (1979), Crashes (1980), and Music on Both Sides (1982). Unlike many bands, The Records lasted through the punk era and into the new wave music
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
scene, before disbanding in 1982. Wicks became a respected producer and songwriter in addition to his work as a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
artist
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
.
Wicks released a series of singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on the Prizm record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in the early 1980s, including "The Way That Love Goes", "Prisoner Of Love" and "Nowhere Left To Run". In 1988, British rock enthusiasts petitioned Virgin Records to release the music of The Records on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
. The fans
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
had their wish when Caroline Records released a best-of collection entitled Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses that same year. In 1990, Line Records Germany remastered and released an album of rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
flavored punk entitled A Sunny Afternoon In Waterloo.
Original lead guitarist Huw Gower invited his former band mates to reunite in 1990 to record a version of "Darlin'" for a Brian Wilson tribute CD that he was involved in putting together for DeMilo Records in New York. (At the same Gower also brokered the US release of "Paying For The Summer of Love", a compilation of 1978 demos by the group (with advance royalties paid to all four original members) on CD, vinyl & cassette. Impressive press reviews of both created an opportunity for the group members to seriously consider re-forming. Wicks, unable to accept the concept of an equal partnership, chose instead to appropriate the brand name for his own use. In 1994 The Records became known as John Wicks And The Records, booking shows primarily in the US and UK. Under new management, John Wicks And The Records were an opening act at the San Diego Sports Arena
IPayOne Center
Valley View Casino Center is an indoor arena, located on Sports Arena Blvd, in Point Loma, San Diego, California, off of Interstate 8....
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
By the middle of 1994, John Wicks And The Records recorded Solace In Wonderland, an album of country-rock tinged songs reminisicent of Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown was an alternative country band formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1994. Fronted by Ryan Adams, other members included Caitlin Cary, Phil Wandscher, Eric "Skillet" Gilmore, and Mike Daly. They disbanded in 2000, with Adams leaving to pursue his solo career...
and Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
. The album Rock 'Ola was released by Rock Indiana in 1998, while John Wicks and his American hirelings were on tour in Spain. His subsequent stranding of the band without pay or return airfare has become legend. "Rock 'Ola" included ten new songs and is considered to be a solo album.
Angel Air Records released Paying For The Summer Of Love without legal clearance from the other band members, remastered on CD in 2001. In 2002, Will Birch licensed the back catalog from UK Virgin to his On The Beach label releasing a deluxe CD edition of Shades In Bed, which featured 10 bonus tracks including every cut from the High Heels EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, followed by a 2005 deluxe CD edition of Crashes, which included six bonus tracks.
In April 2007, after years, John Wicks released a new CD entitled "Rotate" on the KoolKatMusik label. Although described as an "anthology", "Rotate" contained several new tracks along with a handful of remixed versions of previously issued songs. Five "extra" tracks were also featured on a special, signed, two disc version. Also included, a cover version of the classic Beatles song "We Can Work It Out", which initially appeared on a Beatles CD. "Rotate" is the most recent collection of music released to date by John Wicks.
In 2009, a new CD was released, containing an unreleased live performance entitled "Play Live: The Records Live In Concert." This performance featured The Records with John Wicks on rhythm guitar, Will Birch on drums, Phil Brown on bass and Jude Cole on lead guitar, while on tour in the US in 1980.
The songs of Will Birch and John Wicks have been recorded by 1960s British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
band The Searchers
The Searchers (band)
The Searchers are an English beat group, who emerged as part of the 1960s Merseybeat scene along with The Beatles, The Fourmost, The Merseybeats, The Swinging Blue Jeans, and Gerry & The Pacemakers....
(with John McNally and Mike Pender), Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter is an American folk and country music artist. Carpenter spent several years singing in Washington, D.C. clubs before signing in the late 1980s with Columbia Records, who marketed her as a country singer...
, Too Much Joy
Too Much Joy
Too Much Joy is an American alternative rock music group. The band formed in the early 1980s in Scarsdale, New York.-Members:The original members were Tim Quirk , Jay Blumenfield , Sandy Smallens and Tommy Vinton . During 1982-1983 Tommy LaRussa temporarily replaced Vinton as drummer...
, Michael Monroe
Michael Monroe
Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm , best known by his stage name, Michael Monroe, is a Finnish rock musician, and multi-instrumentalist who rose to fame as the vocalist for the glam punk band Hanoi Rocks, and has served as the frontman for all-star side projects, such as Demolition 23...
from Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
, Euro pop sensation Dominique
Dominique
"Dominique" is a popular song in French by Sœur Sourire , of Belgium, also known as The Singing Nun. It is about Saint Dominic, a Spanish-born priest and founder of the Dominican Order, of which she was a member . The English version of the song was written by Noël Regney...
and numerous other artists. The Records disbanded in 1981. Wicks continues to record new albums and tour the world, billed as The Records in UK, and as John Wicks And The Records in the U.S.
Discography
- Shades In Bed LP (1979)
- High Heels EP (1979)
- Crashes LP (1980)
- Music On Both Sides LP (1983)
- A Sunny Afternoon In Waterloo CD (1988)
- Smashes Crashes And Near Misses CD (1988)
- Solace In Wonderland CD (1994)
- Rock 'Ola CD/LP (1998)
- Paying For The Summer Of Love CD (2001)
- Shades In Bed Deluxe CD reissue (2002)
- Crashes Deluxe CD reissue (2005)
- Rotate CD/LP (2007)
- Play Live: The Records Live In Concert CD (2009)
External links
- John Wicks And The Records official site
- John Wicks And The Records official Facebook page